Our Stories: The UNLV Slayers

With a 10-game winning streak in tow, on the verge of a National Championship and in the midst of run that would see them win 52 out of 53 games, No. 1 UNLV met its match on February 26, 1990.

A starting lineup that included three NBA first round draft picks? Who cares. A Hall of Fame coach running the show on the sideline? Big deal.

Living up to its name, the Thunderdome’s decibel level hit 110 during the ESPN Big Monday telecast. It sounded like a jet engine on takeoff. When the dust had settled a national television audience and 6,000 delirious fans witnessed as UCSB shocked the Runnin’ Rebels, 78-70.

UNLV would proceed to win its next 42 games in a row, but on this night in Santa Barbara, the Gauchos owned the Runnin’ Rebels and the college basketball world.